PHOTOS: Sneak Peek & Synopsis of Downton Abbey Season 5, Episode 4

Preview Downton Abbey Season 5, Episode Four with photo and video sneak peeks. The new episode airs Sunday, January 25 at 9:00pm ET|PT on PBS Masterpiece.

In last Sunday’s episode of Downton Abbey, we found many of our favorite ladies (peers and otherwise) sliding into some serious scandal! The show opened with Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Tony Gillingham (Tom Cullen) at the end of their lovers’ trip. They were in bed together and smiling after a week of getting to “know” one another better; so of course, the next step is to start planning the wedding, right?

Well, Mary might be having second-thoughts about spending the rest of her life as Tony’s wife… *sigh* this new development makes me quite frustrated. I’m firmly Team Tony, and for the life of me, I can’t imagine why Mary would want to back away from their relationship! In any event, she might not have the opportunity to—I seriously doubt Tony would be willing to just let Mary walk away. And now that Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) knows about their trip together, marriage may be the only option.

Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) also seemed to be walking a fine line between propriety and scandal. I’m glad that she has a relationship with Mr. Bricker (Richard E. Grant) and they could share a love of art. I also really loved getting to hear Cora talk about her youth and London debut. But it was so clear that Bricker is interested in more than just friendship…and, Robert (Hugh Bonneville) was growing more suspicious of Bricker’s intentions. With that said, I can’t be the only one who remembers Lord Robert’s brief dalliance with that maid in season 2! So, glass houses, stones, and all that jazz…

Speaking of learning about Downton characters in their youth, Dowager Countess definitely had a past and Prince Kuragin (Rade Serbedzija) played some part in it. Every time Lady Violet spoke of Russia, their was a wistful, almost dreamy quality to her description of her time their. I’m really excited to hear more about how Prince Kuragin might have contributed to that.

Among our other characters, poor Edith (Laura Carmichael) was still struggling to be a part of Marigold’s life, even though Mrs. Drewe (Emma Lowndes) was very evident in her dislike. And with Sergeant Willis’ (Howard Ward) investigation of Mr. Green’s death, Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) must be worried about possible suspicion of Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle). Now, I don’t know who killed Mr. Green…it might have been Bates, but, in my opinion, the predator got what he deserved. I wish Anna and Bates could just have some peace!

If you’re interested in what the Downton cast thought of last week’s episode, click on the photo below to watch a video where Michelle Dockery, Lesley Nicol, Laura Carmichael, and more explore Mary’s predicament, Edith’s heartbreak, and Mrs. Patmore’s difficult realization:

In tomorrow’s “Episode Four”:

Lord Merton delivers a bombshell to Isobel, and Mary does likewise to Tony. Police suspicions deepen in an unexplained death. Robert and Sarah lock horns. (via PBS Masterpiece)

YIKES, the drama definitely won’t be dying down, especially when it comes to the things we’re already worried about.

Take a look at these images from the upcoming show. You can also click on the photo below to head over to PBS Masterpiece and watch a clip from “Episode Four” that featured Mary and Charles Blake (Julian Ovenden) at a bridal fashion show. We also finally get a chance to meet Miss Mabel Lane Fox (Catherine Steadman)!

Tune into PBS Masterpiece on Sunday, January 25 at 9:00pm ET|PT for the new Downton Abbey episode, and remember to join me over on twitter to live tweet as we watch!